The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-08-18
CURING TOBACCO.
SOME SENSIBLE TALK ON THE
SUBJECT
As to which is the better Method Of
Curing it, on or off the Stalk.
T Richmond, Va, Southern Planter.

After cultere has performed its part,
the work is still but little more than
halt done. The cutting, curing and
handling in the barn call for patience
and skill. Upon these qualities much
of the profit depends. At the same
time, the farmer should not conhne
himself to rigid methods. In a spirit
of inquiry for new and improved
methods it will be his duty to make
careful experiments to test their value,
and thereby benefit himself and his
fellow men. In penning this article it
is our Object to call attention to one
appearing on preceding page from
the .S0nthc1u Tobacco /oa1uaIpresent-
ing the question, " whether it is best
TO cure tobacco Oh or off the stalk ?"
1t presents itself to our mind with
much force. If 1t be true that the
leaves Of the plant may be gathered as
they ripen, leaving the unmatured
ones to remain on the stalk until they
also ripen; that the nicotine will be
left in the stalk, thus adding to the
aroma Of the leaf and freeing it of
bitterness when used for chewing or
smoking; and the weight of the leaf
will not be impaired, these are impor-
tant facts to be ascertained by proper
experiment. Assuming that they are
true, may not there be a saving Of
labor in housing the crop and other
advantages? 1t is we'll known that
the bottom leaves of the plant ripen
first, and must stand, under the pre-
vailing practice, until the top leaves
are also ripe. 1t IS not unreasonable
to think that taking off the bottom
leaves will hasten the maturity Of those
left, and at the same time increase
their size by the concentration Of all
the food coming from the root. There
may be also this advantage: the Gu
ring Of the crop will progress with
field work, the danger from frost will
be le5scned, and the heavy work of
handling the crop in a few days will
be avoided. 1t may be said that it IS
the custom to Gull over and take out
all plants as they ripen, but still the
bulk Of them are left for a cutting,
and often in a rush against frost.
Many plants are thus cut green whereas,
if few ripe leaves had been taken off
they would at least be safe, and pos
sibly, as before suggested, all plants or
leaves might come to the barn in a
matured condition.
There is another thought to be men
toned. 1t is a we'll known fact in
the physiology of plant-growth, that
when the sap has performed its func-
tions for a season in the perfection of
woody fibre, leaves and flowers, there
is cessation Of growth, and the sap
commences its return to the root, car
rying back much of the substance of
leaf and flower. 1t is on this princi-
pie that leaves and flowers die and fall
to the ground. Annual plants will
perish and all deciduous trees will lose
their flowers and leaves without inter
vention of frost. The leaf of a to-
bacco plant after maturity may then
begin to lose and not gain weight or
other qualities if left on the stalk to
await the maturity of other leaves.
Suppose plant of tobacco should fully
ripen and then be left standing, the
course of nature, without the action of
frost, will be thus: the sap would
gradually evapOrate, first from the
leaves, then from the stalk and root,
and the whole plant perishes. Does
not this teach that natures law should
be watched, and when maturity comes
it should be appropriated before the
process of decline and decay COM
mences? There is still another thought
relating to an established farming prac-
tice which analogy may further Illus
trate the principle we are discussing.
The best farmers cut off their corn
stalks at the ground and shock them
in the field as soon as the blades are
matured and the grain glazed. This
is done on the theory, established by
experiment, that the sap in the stalk
will he fed gradually to the gram and
! blades which Will cure without the aid
of the sun and remain until ready to
be stored in the barn. So, also, it is
recognized as the best practice to reap
wheat when in he dough state before
the stalks are ripe and dry, and the
remaining sap is fed to the grain and
prevents it from shrinking. The ad-
vantages gained in the case of corn
are, that large quantity of well cured
forage is secured, and the land is
cleared off for an earlier seeding oi
wheat or winter oats which are to fol
low; or if peas have been sown at the
last working for green fallow, their
growth is fastened by full exposure
to the air and sunlight. With wheat,
the grain is thought to he better fol
milling, and it does not shatter in tie
! process OF reaping- These crops, man
aged IS described. will afford some aid
to correct judgment in respec: tc